Pages

I AM A FAN OF THE HUMAN BODY

When I was looking to further my studies, one of the things
that was extremely important was the study of the human body, anatomy classes,
drawing and studying from life. I serendipitously found the Academy and ended up in Dan
Thompson’s class in my first semester.I think he is probably one of the best teachers the Academy
has.

In class drawing by Gabriela

Everything about Figure Drawing Intensive in my first
semester and Anatomical Drawing in the second semester has been incredibly
enriching. As a teacher, there is no end to Dan’s generosity. I’d never experienced such
attentiveness from a teacher and I don’t think any other teacher has ever inspired
me as much. His enthusiasm, hunger for learning, and love for what he teaches
are contagious.

Anatomical study of Maya by Gabriela

Generally, class starts with a lecture or a demonstration or both and
then we set up our easels and do some drawing and analysis of our own work. During this time, Dan invests time with each student, giving feedback and assisting us with our drawings. His teaching is really what I expected from the Academy.

The study of the human body is enriched with
a great instructor.

As for models, having a fellow human lend him/herself for our study is a real
privilege. We take our bodies for granted and are in denial of them. Seeing the
nude model standing proudly in front of the class like an elegant statue for us to observe and learn, is an incredible practice. In observation, simple things like
the model's breath or shifting their position becomes amplified and very
beautiful.

Drawing by Dan Thompson

Specifically with Anatomical Drawing, we are meant to do
studies of what we see in the model, next to a more finished drawing. We
conceptualize what we see, to better understand what is happening in the pose
that the model has taken. Transverse plane, cubes, cylinders, rotation,
inclination, turning away from you, turning towards you, medial, lateral,
muscles, bones, perspective, light, shadow, volume, depth, convex, concave,
bony landmarks, muscles, and the model stand. Everything affects what you see and
how you see it.

In this class, there is a special kind of awareness and
study, not just of the body, but of its surroundings. I am fascinated and more aware
of the vessel that carries me and everything that I am. I find myself further
amazed by the machine that is the human body. It is an exquisite organic form and we know so little
about it. I am extremely lucky to be able to study it the way that I am doing right now at the Academy.